United v Sunderland: Premier League title chase is on!

November 4, 2011

United are a top priced 1.25 to make the annual return to Manchester another unhappy experience for former captain Steve Bruce, and if the form book is anything to go by then they should comfortably beat the Black Cats.

Since suffering a heavy defeat in a certain match which we no longer talk about, the Reds have answered the calls of the gaffer and quickly got back into winning ways.

They have won their last three in all competitions, and although they have not been as impressive as many would have liked what is important is that they have conceded no goals in those victories and the ship has been steadied.

So far as this game is concerned the stats are good and it’s no wonder that the bookies are running scared.

Since losing to Sunderland in 1997, United have won 13 and lost none of the subsequent 18 Premier League matches against the Black Cats.

The visitors have also failed to score in seven of their last nine Premier League games against the Reds, and I don’t need to tell you how good United’s record is at home.

It really should be a case of another three points in the bag for Sir Alex’s young guns but punting them at 1.25 doesn’t make much appeal.

However the 1.73 about them in the HT/FT market with bet365 does look attractive for those who like to play odds-on as they will surely bombard Sunderland right from the off and if they do not get an early goal the gaps will open for them to exploit as the visitors try to push forward for an equaliser.

So who is going to get the opener?

Predictably Wayne Rooney tops the lists at a top priced 4.33 with bet365, but it’s the same firm’s standout 5 about Chicharito that makes more appeal.

He is beginning to look sharper with every game and is as short as 3.5 to score first with some firms. That makes the 5 on offer with bet365 just too big to resist from a punting perspective.

As I have already mentioned, Sunderland’s record of scoring against United is very poor and that throws up another interesting betting opportunity.

You can get even money (2) with bet365 and Paddy Power about United winning and keeping a clean sheet, and that certainly appeals as a bit of value compared to their outright odds to win.

Like everyone I am just hoping that United win this and the score doesn’t really matter in that the three points is all that counts.

However for those who do like to dabble in the correct score market I would suggest split stakes on 2-0 and 3-0.

They've come out with several excuses as to why sir alex has been successful, from trying to buy refs to having other managers in his back pocket, they always want to take light out of his achievements.

When sir alex first joined united, he never had huge resources, he built every success from the scratch and damn right he is entitled to enjoy the fruits of his labour, if united purchase a big player with massive transfer fee's (which happens less compared to what the likes of madrid, barca, chelsea, those bitter blue cunts, dippers have paid) but our legendary scot also has an unbelievable eye for a bargain (think cantona, yorke, andrew cole, ronaldo, solskjaer, evra, vidic and many more that i can't name off my head right now who have all gone on to be greats).

The manager also makes the youth system a priority, he has carried on the philosophy laid down by the great sir matt busby and developed fantastic young players, you bitter fools should put down your lemonade and acknowledge his fantastic achievements both for the premier league and for the great club which is manchester united, 25 years of consistent brilliance? i can't find any manager capable of matching his success, he is the envy of you all and you know it, pity because we manchester united are the lucky one's to have him and even when he retires, he is a bright and intelligent man that knows the club has to continue in its successful by developing the young players at the club, he sees the bigger picture unlike any manager out there, he is the best manager of all time and you can all nail that on dalglish's fucking head.

The last video I posted will probably mean more to the slightly older fans here...... I supported our club for many years waiting and believing that the promised land would eventually come yet it never did...

25 years of top level perfomances, says it all. None could ever done that before. Not Shankly, not Paisley, not Lippi, not wenger, not even the great Sir Matt Busby.
Lets see how the so-called talented young manager likes Mourinho & Guardiola, maintance their perfomances to stay at top level for NEXT 25 years, which I highly doubt it.

Would exclude Sir Matt from that list buddy..... I might be biased (Which I am) Sir Matt gave us the BABES and had it not been for that horrible day in Munich he would have achieved just as much as Sir Alex if not more....

The essence of SAF regardless of the drive for excellence in it's many shapes and forms is humility. Though he has achieved greatness he still remains grounded, in touch with his true self. Many of the true greats nectar managed have this quality Steve Bruce is one of them. A true gent.

Sad news about Evra's brother. I hope this doesn't sound crass, but I am a little confused. His brother died two weeks ago (before the City match) and Patrice has played since then. Yet now he's being left out by us and by France too, basically on the grounds of compassionate leave. It just seems odd. Anyone know the story behind this?

Imagine the way he must have felt dealing with such a loss. Still he went out and faced out a defeat followed by criticism without playing the sympathy card via the press. Strength if character regardless of team or profession . Condolences from all red fans I am sure .